The dock on the Indian River behind my sister's condo in Florida.... You can see the Vehicle Assembly Building at Cape Canaveral across the water....

My sister and our Dad, James "Jim" Thompson.....also called "Mr. T"

The last photo we ever took with our Mother....Christmas of 2007....at our Aunt Ruth's home in Kissimmee, Florida. Our cousin, Kenneth, was visiting from Tennessee and had brought a Santa suit with him. When it was time to open Christmas gifts, he rang a bell and came out in this outfit... ha ha It was totally a surprise and brought a big smile to the faces of all who were there. Our Mother passed away June 1st of the next year.... We miss you, Mom!

One of our very last photos with our father.... This was taken on our parents' anniversary, December of 2007, at The Sand Drift Restaurant in Titusville, Florida. My sister had brought Santa hats for everyone to wear. Little did we know, this would be our last Christmas with our parents... How we treasure these photos!

Christmas without our parents...... So happy to have each other....my sister, Jeri, and brother, Jeff...celebrating Christmas at my sister's condo in Titusville, Florida... December 2009...

Siblings never change.....ha ha Here is our brother getting a big laugh out of Jeri and I....

Jeff.....we love you!

I am so thankful to have my sister, Jeri, and brother, Jeff....

One thing I can say about us being together, it is never boring! :) Our brother picked up the faucet in my sister's kitchen, and starting using it as a microphone to sing...... Jeri and I just joined in as the backup singers. Jeri and I often refer to ourselves as the "almost know the words singers" ha ha.....

South Lake at sunset in Titusville, Florida. This photo was taken in December 2009 at our cousin, Suzanne's home....

The Monument in Titusville along the Indian River that our Dad's name is on honoring men and women who worked on the Agena Program at the Space Center....

Our Dad's name....

When my sister and I were young, our grandmother--who lived in Winter Haven, Florida--worked in a citrus fruit packing house. Sometimes, we would go along with her for a few hours when we went to visit her in the summer. My sister and I were in early elementary school at the time. The fruit they dealt with was beautiful and perfect! The type of oranges that they put in gift baskets. So, of course, I have to include this photo in my posting tribute to my sister. Here we are taken Christmas of 2009 in the backyard of our aunt posing with some of her oranges and tangerines...

Our Uncle James grows beautiful pineapples in the backyard, too. Here is one that he cut while we were there....

And here is the pineapple..... ha ha

My neice, Jordan, graduated from Titusville High School....the same high school that my sister, Jeri, and I graduated from in the early 1970's.... Here we are with Jordan on her graduation night at my sister's condo in Florida. A very proud night for my sister! :)

You can not grow up in Florida without knowing about "the Highwaymen" who went up and down the highways of Florida....along the waterways....selling their paintings when we were kids. At the time, they went for like 50.00 a painting....now they are very collectable. Here is a photo of one of their paintings...

Me fishing on my sister's dock on the Indian River at night....

Jeri and I in Gig Harbor, Washington, on her first visit to see me after we moved from Florida to Washington State. My sister loves it here.... I am hoping that one day she can relocate and live closer to me again!

Spotting an eagle in the marina on our way out sailing on "Skye" while my sister was visiting....

Jeri and I with Sadie Mae on a sail in Liberty Bay...

Sadie in her life jacket...

Jeri and I on the Bainbridge Island Ferry to Seattle during her first visit to Washington State...

At Pike Place Market at the fish market....

With the beautiful flowers at Pike Place Market...

With my husband, Mark, at Pike Place Market....

At Point No Point Lighthouse area in Hansville, Washington...

At the beach at Point No Point near the lighthouse in Hansville, WA...

Even in the summer, this area can be very windy....even though the sun was shining brightly this day....

Jeri and I in Kingston, Washington, after the walk down the beach....waiting on our chicken crepes...

Jeri back at the marina in Poulsbo at the end of the day....

Jeri and I in Seabeck, Washington, at sunset...

With my son, Elliott, at sunset in Seabeck Washington...

Jeri and I in November, 2010, with my husband, Mark, in Poulsbo, Washington....just a short walk from our home...

Jeri at our home in Silverdale, Washington, a couple of years ago... Jeri making her famous white coconut cake....

Jeri was celebrating a birthday with us, and we took her to Brix 21 in Gig Harbor for a nice dinner....

It is always great to have your sister to laugh with... just as you did when you were young....

My sister, Jeri, and I are very close....always have been. We share so many wonderful memories together. We will always remember our childhood....growing up together in a small Florida beachtown in the mid to late 50's, 60's and early 70's....with parents who loved us...a Dad who worked at the Cape to help put missiles and men into space and a stay-at-home Mom---and a younger brother. We lived in the same little house together---from the time I was 4 years old until the day I graduated from high school. My parents would live in this house together, and we would continue to visit them there, until the day they both died in 2008. As young children, my sister and I shared the same bedroom together in that home.....until the day I left home after graduation. Growing up, we were individuals....different in some ways....but alike in more ways than we were different. Like all siblings, we would sometimes argue, but the bond between sisters is strong, and we would always end up back together hand in hand again. We are not only sisters....but very best friends....and there for each other through the best of times and the worst. I am so happy to have my sister....and my brother...in my life as we continue our journey together without our parents. So, Jeri, today----August 12---your birthday, I want to say....I love you! This posting is my tribute to you.... As you light your birthday candles today, I want to say that I am very happy I have you in my life. I love you..... Here is to you! And may all your wishes come true........

I love you! HAPPY BIRTHDAY and many, many more! Thank you for walking down life's path with me as my sister..... I love you, dah-ring.... xoxo Love, Kim

Thank you for visiting my blog today and for sharing my birthday tribute to my sister. Have a beautiful day! xoxo Kim

Hello Kim,
I think your sister, Jeri, is so pretty; and she looks very much like you in many of the pictures. I really loved the picture with your mom. She always looks so elegant to me. The Christmas picture with your dad and the Santa hats brought a smile to my face. Christmas time is such a special time for me. One of my fav pictures was where all of you were singing "Mustang Sally"...how funny. Everytime I see pictures of you, your clothes and jewelry are so stylish. We have similar taste in clothes. Thanks for sharing your family post today. I recently did short stories about my sister and brothers also. I will forever adore them. Have a lovely Sunday.
~Sheri at Red Rose Alley

Kim,
I wanted to tell you about my post today cause you're so special to me. It's about my anniversary. I have a song on there too - I've Got You Babe by Sonny and Cher. If the music interferes with the side bar music, you can just pause the music on the side bar. I think you will enjoy it. Have a great day.
~Sheri at Red Rose Alley